Adriano treble inspires Inter

FC Internazionale Milano striker Adriano began the new season in impressive fashion with a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory against Treviso FC on the opening weekend of the Serie A season, while champions Juventus FC also secured an opening victory.

Adriano treble
At the San Siro, Adriano broke the deadlock after 32 minutes with a powerful long-distance effort and snatched a second on 68 minutes from Dejan Stankovic's clever through-pass. The powerful Brazilian completed his hat-trick against opponents making their first ever appearance in Italy's top flight ten minutes from time when he finished off after good work from Chilean substitute David Pizarro.

Trezeguet on target
Juventus, meanwhile, were 1-0 winners against AC Chievo Verona in Turin, French international striker David Trezeguet getting the only goal of the game nine minutes before half-time with a clever glancing header from Gianluca Zambrotta's cross.

Cudini opener
In contrast, last season's UEFA Champions League and Serie A runners-up AC Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at Ascoli Calcio 1898. The newly-promoted side took a 58th-minute lead through Mirko Cudini after Dida had failed to deal with a header and the Ascoli defender reacted quickest.

Mixed fortunes
The lead proved short-lived, however, Andriy Shevchenko levelling five minutes later by collecting possession and turning quickly to fire his side level. In a game badly affected by heavy rain, which made conditions difficult for both sets of players, the Ukrainian striker might have won it for the visitors but shot over from close range, and Milan had to make do with a point.

Ruthless Roma
Mancini, Daniele De Rossi and Shabani Christophe Nonda were on target as AS Roma earned a 3-0 win at Reggina Calcio while Champions League contenders Udinese Calcio earned a home 1-0 win against Empoli FC, Sully Muntari scoring the winner on the half-hour.

Lazio lift
Elsewhere, US Città di Palermo were held to a 1-1 draw at Parma FC, Mark Bresciano cancelling out Christian Terlizzi's earlier strike for the Sicilian side, while a single effort from Goran Pandev gave S.S. Lazio a 1-0 win against FC Messina Peloro. Enrico Chiesa scored both goals for AC Siena in a 2-1 home win against Calgiari Calcio.